Course Syllabus for

The General Epistles – RELG 1103

(Revised January 2009)

Instructor: Frank Bellizzi

Class Meets: Wednesdays, Noon-12:50 p.m.

Prerequisite: None

Office: Amarillo Bible Chair, 2501 S. Jackson

Phone: 372-5747

E-mail: biblechair@amaonline.com

Website: www.amarillobiblechair.homestead.com

Office Hours: By Appointment

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:

A study of the historical background, purpose, text and present application of the Epistles of James, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude (Amarillo College Catalog).

PURPOSE AND GOALS FOR THE COURSE:

By the end of the semester, the student will demonstrate his/her knowledge and understanding by obtaining a minimum of a 70% competency level of the stated performance/learning objectives.

This course will help the student understand the questions that are raised concerning the authorship, historical background, style, contents and canonicity of the "General Epistles." The student will then better relate the various themes of the writer to his/her own environment, and to today.

TEXTBOOK:

A Bible. A modern, standard translation—such as the New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, or New King James Version--is preferred. The King James Version (KJV), first published in 1611, was for its time an excellent translation. It remains one of the great literary achievements of all time. But the English language has significantly changed over the last 400 years, making the KJV hard for most modern students to read and understand. Do not read from the KJV in class.

PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OBJECTIVES (Minimum Competencies):

After studying the material in this course the student will be able to:

1. Describe the historical setting of each epistle.

2. Explain the theories concerning each epistle's author, date of writing, audience and overall purpose.

3. Identify and define key words, phrases and concepts as they pertain to this course.

4. Analyze the literary style of each of the epistles.

5. Identify key geographical sites as they pertain to this course.

6. Demonstrate the ability to use research tools available in the field of religion and draw reasonable conclusions on the basis of careful study.

DISABILITY STATEMENT:

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Accessibility Services (L101, Phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Regular attendance

a. Your instructor will keep careful attendance rolls.

b. Two absences will be allowed before your grade is directly affected by your attendance.

c. If you have more than two absences, you will be required to do

make-up work in order to maintain the letter grade you are earning.

d. In the event of excessive absences, an A will become a B, a B will become a C, and so on.

e. It is your responsibility to ask for make-up work when your absences are excessive.

2. Readings

a. A careful reading of James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude.

b. Each book must be read in advance of the day it is to be covered in class.

3. Questions

a. The questions are designed to help the student learn the message and meaning of these epistles.

b. If the student desires an A, he must answer (and discuss) 9 questions.

c. If the student desires a B, he must answer (and discuss) 7 questions.

d. If the student desires a C, he must answer (and discuss) 5 questions.

e. The quality of the discussion on the questions determines the grade (for example, superficial answers for 9 questions will not obtain an A grade).

f. The questions should be typed, double-spaced, and have a bibliography of the works used.

g. Follow this procedure: 1) state the question, 2) discuss the question in length, 3) indicate the sources used in answering the question at the end of the question.

h. A minimum of two sources need to be used to answer each question.

i. The questions are due on April 22nd .

COURSE OUTLINE:

General Introduction to New Testament Epistles

An Outline of James

I. Salutation - 1:1

II. The Testings Of Living Faith - 1:2-18

III. The Testmarks Of A Living Faith - 1:19-3:18

IV. The Reactions Of A Living Faith To Worldliness - 4:1-5:12

V. The Reliance Of A Living Faith On God - 5:13-18

VI. Conclusion - 5:19-20

An Outline of 1 Peter

I. Opening - 1:1-2

II. Thanksgiving - 1:3-12

III. The Basic Characteristics Of Christian Living - 1:13-2:10

IV. Social Conduct - 2:11-3:12

V. The Christian Attitude Toward Suffering - 3:13-5:11

VI. Closing Greetings - 5:12-14

An Outline of 2 Peter

I. Salutation 1:1-2

II. The Nature Of The Christian Life - 1:3-21

III. The Warning Against False Teachers - 2:1-22

IV. The Certainty Of Christ's Return - 3:1-16

V. Conclusion - 3:17-18

An Outline of Jude

I. Prologue - vs. 1-2

II. Introduction - vs. 3-4

III. Warning - vs. 5-8

IV. Comment - vs. 9-16

V. Comment - vs. 17-19

VI. Conclusion - vs. 20-23

VII. Doxology - vs. 24-25

QUESTIONS ON JAMES:

1. What kinds of trials are referred to in 1:2? What are the two possible meanings for the Greek word?

2. Who is a "double-minded man"? How does 1:7-8 fit in with one of the main themes of the epistle? Trace the "double-minded man" throughout James.

3. Explain the following terms and expressions as they relate to their appropriate contexts (one paragraph on each of these):

a. "Quick to hear" (1:19)

b. "Implanted word" (1:21)

c. "Law of liberty" (1:25)

d. "Visit" (1:27)

e. "Barren" (2:20)

4. What is the "royal law" (2:8)? How were James' readers using this as an excuse for their practice of partiality?

5. State in your own words the main points of James' discussion on faith and works (2:14-26). Explain especially verse 18. What is there in verse 22 that supplies a key to understanding the whole passage?

6. Summarize 4:13-17 as a warning to Christians against worldliness. What does verse 17 mean in this context?

7. James 5:14-15 has caused considerable problems for interpreters. Give a careful explanation of the passage. Are these verses applicable to us today?

QUESTIONS ON 1 PETER:

1. Summarize the arguments for and against the Petrine authorship of 1 Peter.

2. How does 1 Peter 5:12 relate to the question of authorship? Explain the statement: "She who is at Babylon. . .sends you greetings" (v. 13).

3. Discuss the nature, basis, and conditions of the Christian inheritance as given in 1:3-5.

4. List and discuss the significance of the various terms and figures used to describe God's people in 2:4-10.

5. Christian women are not to be given to the "braiding of hair, etc." (3:3). What does this mean? How can a woman win her husband to Christ "without a word" (3:1)?

6. Explain the meaning of 3:18-22. How does it fit in the context? What is the central thought of the passage? Be sure to give attention to such expressions as "made alive in the Spirit", "in which he", "Spirits in prison", "an appeal to God for a clear conscience", etc.

7. 1 Peter 4:6 is another difficult verse. Discuss this and give the main interpretations offered on this verse.

8. 1 Peter 4:17 speaks of a "judgment" coming on God's people. Explain this in light of the context.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

GENERAL:

Beardlsey. "James." The Interpreter's Dictionary Of The Bible vol 2. (AC)

Brown, "Peter." The Interpreter's Dictionary Of The Bible, Supplement. (AC)

Bruce. Peter, Stephen, James, and John. (ABC)

Chester and Martin. New Testament Theology

Filson. "Peter." The Interpreter's Dictionary Of The Bible, vol 3. (AC)

Harris. "James." The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, vol. 2. (ABC)

Martin. "Peter." International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, vol. 3. (ABC)

JAMES:

Adamson. James: The Man & His Message.

. The New International Commentary On The New Testament. (ABC)

Clowney. The Message Of 1 Peter.

*Davids. The New International Greek Testament Commentary.

*Dibelius. Hermeneia. (AC)

Easton. The Interpreter's Bible. (AC)

Hiebert. 1 Peter.

Holloway. College Press NIV Commentary.

Laws. Harper's New Testament Commentary. (AC)

*Lenski. An Interpretation Of Hebrews and James. (ABC)

*Martin. Word Biblical Commentary. (ABC)

*Mayor. James.

Moo. Pillar New Testament Commentary.

Nystrom. The NIV Application Commentary.

Reicke. The Anchor Bible. (AC)

Roberts. A Commentary On The New Testament Epistle Of James. (ABC)

. The Living Word Commentary. (ABC)

*Ropes. The International Critical Commentary. (ABC)

Sidebottom. The New Century Bible. (ABC)

Stulac. The IVP New Testament Commentary.

Ward. "The Letter Of James." The Interpreter's Dictionary Of The Bible, Supplement. (AC)

Wessel. "The Epistle of James." International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, vol 2. (ABC)

1 PETER:

Best. The New Century Bible. (ABC)

*Bigg. The International Critical Commentary.

Black and Black. The College Press NIV Commentary.

Blum. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. (ABC)

Clowney. The Bible Speaks Today.

Davids. New International Commentary On The New Testament. (ABC)

Elliott. A Home For The Homeless.

Goppelt. A Commentary on 1 Peter.

Grudem. The Tyndale New Testament Commentary. (ABC)

Hiebert. 1 Peter.

Hunter. The Interpreter's Bible. (ABC)

Kelcy. The Living Word Commentary. (ABC)

Martin. "First Peter." The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, vol 3. (ABC)

Marshall. IVP New Testament Commentary Series.

McKnight. NIV Application Commentary.

*Michaels. Word Biblical Commentary. (ABC)

Reicke. (See under James).

Stibbs. The Tyndale New Testament Commentary. (ABC)

Thompson. The Church In Exile.

Waltner and Charles. Believers Church Bible Commentary.

2 PETER:

Barnett. The Interpreter's Bible. (AC)

*Bauckham. Word Biblical Commentary. (ABC)

*Bigg. (See under 1 Peter).

Black and Black. (See under 1 Peter).

Blum. (See under 1 Peter).

Green. The Tyndale New Testament Commentary. (ABC)

Hiebert. Second Peter and Jude.

Kelcy. (See under 1 Peter).

Mayor. The Epistles of Jude and 2 Peter.

Moo. NIV Application Commentary.

Moorehead. "2 Peter." The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol 4. (ABC)

Reicke. (See under James).

Sidebottom. (See under James).

*Strachan. The Expositor's Greek Testament.

Waltner and Charles. (See under 1 Peter).

JUDE:

Bauckham. Jude And The Relatives Of Jesus.

* . (See under 2 Peter).

*Bigg. (See under 1 Peter).

Blum. (See under 1 Peter).

Charles. Literary Strategy in the Epistle of Jude.

Danker. "Jude." The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, vol 2. (ABC)

Green. (See under 2 Peter).

Hiebert. (See under 2 Peter).

Kelcy. (See under 1 Peter).

Holloway. (See under James).

Kasemann. Essays On New Testament Themes. (AC)

*Mayor. (See under 2 Peter).

Moo. (See under 2 Peter).

Reicke. (See under James).

Sidebottom. (See under James).

Waltner and Charles. (See under 1 Peter).

White. "Jude." The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia Of The Bible, vol 3. (ABC)

KEY:

* These books are on the Greek text.

(ABC) Denotes a book in this Bible Chair's library.

(AC) Denotes a book in the college library.